Kashmir Valley erupts as crowds disrupt cops’ operations

Srinagar: Several parts of the Kashmir Valley witnessed clashes and stone-pelting incidents on Friday after the surging crowds resisted counterinsurgency operations launched by security forces. One such clash took place in Bangar Mohalla locality in northern district of Bandipore.

The police sources and witnesses said that the moment the security forces including the soldiers from the Army’s 13 Rashtriya Rifles, the members of the J&K police’s counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG ) and the CRPF jawans arrived in the area to conduct a cordon-and-search operation (CASO), after learning about the presence of militants there, the locals came out to hurl stones at them.

This was done in a deliberate attempt to help the militants to escape from the area, the officials said.

The security forces fired teargas canisters to disperse the mob, triggering clashes.

A similar incident was reported from Lassipora in southern Pulwama district. Later during the day, the security forces launched a CASO in Hanjibugh village in central district of Budgam where similar situations prevailed, said a report.

Clashes also erupted also in the town of Anantnag after Friday congregational prayers at mosques and hospices.

A mob hurled stones at the forces in Anantnag’s Janglat Mandi area, prompting the latter to burst teargas shells, said Jammu and Kashmir police sources.